‘Hurt, threatened’ inside poker club: American national sues fellow gamer

CEBU, Philippines - An American national has filed Friday criminal charges against a Filipino fellow poker game player for allegedly threatening to have him killed and for hurting him inside a poker club in Mandaue City recently.

David Henry Shetler of Kasambagan, Cebu City filed before the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office complaints for grave threats, grave coercion, and slight physical injuries against Eric Cheung, of Singson Village, Mandaue City.

Shetler narrated that he was at the Metro Poker Club at A.S. Fortuna Street in Tipolo, Mandaue City at about 9 a.m. on September 4 playing poker when Cheung arrived.

Without any provocation, Cheung approached the poker table of Shetler and allegedly shouted, “Get the hell out of here!” several times which embarrassed and scared the latter in public.

The American national further accused Cheung of throwing a wooden tabletop piece at him and pointing at his face while shouting, “You are dead! You are dead!”

He added that Cheung called up somebody on his phone and instructed to kill him. Cheung then allegedly threw a cup at Shetler’s face and he was able to duck but his left hand was still hit and was injured.

The club manager reportedly approached Shetler and told him that he was banned from the club.

“I was stunned and muttered for somebody to call the police,” Shetler said.

Cheung and Shetler were brought to the Subangdaku Police Station in Mandaue City where the former reportedly continued to threaten the latter.

“You better be careful walking around out of the streets. Something will happen to you,” Shetler quoted Cheung as saying.

“Due to Eric Cheung’s physical assaults, threats and intimidations against me, I suffered mental suffering, public humiliation and embarrassment as well as serious anxiety and worries over my life and the security of my wife and children,” he said.

Due to the alleged threats and coercion, Shetler said he was deprived of his means of relaxation and entertainment in the form of poker and was forced to avoid public places.

The foreigner also sought moral and exemplary damages, attorney’s fee and refund of all litigation costs amounting to P1.2 million.

Lawyer Audie Arnado assisted Shetler in filing the charges while taxicab driver Pablo Sumandig, who brought him to the club, also executed judicial affidavit of the incident. (FREEMAN)